Canada
BC parties urged to adopt  electric vehicle policies ahead of election

BC parties urged to adopt electric vehicle policies ahead of election

Electric vehicle associations representing 42,000 EV owners across the province have submitted a list of ten recommended policies for parties to include in their platforms. These measures will ensure that electric vehicle adoption remains a priority for the new government to enable British Columbian residents and businesses to share in the economic and environmental benefits of electric vehicles, more generally classified as Zero Emissions Vehicles (ZEV).  

Recommended Policy Initiatives

  1. Support current Zero Emissions Vehicle (ZEV) Legislation and ZEV Incentives regarding Light Duty Vehicles (LDV) going forward to help BC meet our Climate Change commitment.
  2. Enhance current ZEV Legislation to include medium and heavy-duty vehicles (MDV/HDV) at the same 10% sales in 2025, 30% in 2030 and 100% by 2040 going forward to help BC meet our Climate Change commitment.
  3. Encourage and aid BC municipalities and BC crown corporations to achieve 25% ZEV fleets by 2024 and 100% by 2030.
  4. Amend the programs of Clean Energy Vehicles (CEV) and Scrap-It to be accessible to all BC registered dealerships ensuring greater citizen access to both new and used ZEV sales.
  5. Direct BC Hydro and encourage other BC utilities to provide a rate tariff with a flat per kWh rate, without demand charges, for providers of Direct Current Fast Chargers (DCFC) so that known energy costs can be used to appropriately price and encourage commercial build out of the DCFC network within the province.
  6. Support the implementation of BC Hydro’s DCFC Accessibility Guidelines as a matter of compliance with the accessibility rights protected by the BC Human Rights Code, to enable everyone, including persons with disabilities, to access and operate EVs.
  7. Continue to support a comprehensive build out of public DCFC EV charging infrastructure on all primary and secondary highways in the province, particularly in remote and rural areas, including all end-point destinations to ensure equal availability for province-wide EV travel, EV tourism, and EV adoption.
  8. Direct ICBC to include on every new and renewed policy a statement indicating the average annual GHGs emitted by the vehicle being insured – this will raise awareness of individual citizens’ impact in their vehicle choices.
  9. Support and Enact the Recommendation of the Union of BC Municipalities Resolution B144 on “Right to Charge” for all multi-unit residential buildings, whether strata owned condos or rental apartments.
  10. Support Low Income Residents access to ZEVs by increasing incentives and removing Provincial Sales Tax on used ZEVs.

According to Victoria EV Association President David Grove, the recommended policy measures will not require the new government to spend taxpayer money, yet will make a real difference in light of the significant increase in EVs across the province. 

Grove noted, “The significant and ongoing increases in EV ownership underscore the need for sensible government policies to ensure that more British Columbians can make the switch to zero emissions driving with adequate EV charging access and infrastructure.” 

The policy measures were submitted to the BC NDP, Liberal, Conservative, and Green parties by the following electric vehicle associations: 

Victoria EV Association

Vancouver EV Association

Comox Valley EV Association

Sunshine Coast EV Association

Transition Saltspring Island EV Group

Prince George EV Association

Mid-Vancouver Island EV Association

Kamloops EV Owners

Tesla Owners of British Columbia